Difference between revisions of "Gemstone-like molecular element"

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[[File:atomistic acetylene sorting pump model.jpg|frame|Acetylene sorting pump as an example for a monolithic block of fused Diamondoid molecular elements (DMEs)]]
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[[File:Tetrapod-openconnects display large square.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Here is a rather small structural [[diamondoid]] [[crystolecule]] with some bonds (brighter red) intentionally left [[Nanoscale surface passivation|open/dangling/unpassivated]]. A [[crystolecule fragment]]. Such [[surface interface]]s can be fused together via [[seamless covalent welding]] in the [[second assembly level]] and perhaps higher assembly levels.]]
  
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'''Gem-like molecular elements''' (GMEs) or '''Diamondoid molecular elements''' (DMEs) here also called '''crystolecules''' are structural elements or machine elements at the lower physical size limit. They are produced via [[mechanosynthesis]] and are often highly symetrical.
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[[File:atomistic acetylene sorting pump model.jpg|frame|A proposed [[acetylene sorting pump]]. This is a larger [[diamondoid machine element]] (DME). Possibly assembled from several pre-produced smaller [[diamondoid crystolecule]]s. The frame is one big monolithic crystolecule (it may be fused togehter via [[seamless covalent welding]] during assembly). Other parts are smaller independent crystolecules that may be [[piezochemical mechanosynthesis|mechanosynthesized]] fully passivated as a whole and integrated as a whole without any seamless welding.]]
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Since exclusive use of metal atoms is unsuitable for nanoscale machine parts (metal-to-metal bonds are rather undirected and metal atoms on metal surfaces tend to [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_diffusion diffuse] away from where you've put them) stable [[diamondoid]] materials must be used. Diamondoid molecular elements are central in [[technology level II|semi advanced]] and [[technology level III|highly advanced]] atomically precise manufacturing (Note that beside classical gemstones bio-minerals fulfill the criteria for "diamondoidivity" too).
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Thanks to [[exploratory engineering]] it is proven that DME's with sliding interfaces work exceptionally well although they cannot be produced yet (state 2015..2016).
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Check out '''[http://www.zyvex.com/nanotech/visuals.html some images of DME examples]'''.
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'''Gemstone-like molecular elements''' (GMEs) here also called '''crystolecules''' are parts of machine elements and structural elements at the lowermost physical size limit.
 +
They are produced via [[piezochemical mechanosynthesis]] and are often highly symmetrical.
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Gemstone-like molecular elements are the basic building blocks in [[gemstone metamaterial technology]].
 +
 
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= Base material =
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[[Gemstone-like compounds]] are the most suitable base material for crystolecules.
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Beside classical gemstones like diamond other semi-precious minerals including bio-minerals that are synthesizable in solution also fall under gemstone-like compounds.
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These may be accessible earlier in [[technology level II|semi advanced]] precursor technologies.
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Use of [[pure metals and metal alloys]] is rather unsuitable for crystolecules.
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* Metallic bonds with free electron gas are not directed like covalent bonds.
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* Metal atoms on metal surfaces tend to [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_diffusion diffuse] away from where they have been deposited. Especially on surfaces.
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 +
Crystolecules are:
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* assembled from small [[molecule fragments]] – in the [[Assembly level 1 (gem-gum factory)|first assembly level]] – typically mostly irreversible
 +
* assembled to bigger [[crystolecular unit]]s – in the [[Assembly level 2 (gem-gum factory)|second assembly level]] – typically partially irreversible
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 +
'''Given their nanoscale gemstone like nature unfortunately crystolecules and their assemblies [[crystollecular element|crystollecular (machine) elements]] cannot be produced yet (state 2015..2021).'''
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 +
A subclass of [[gemstone-like compounds]] are [[diamond like compounds]]. (For a disambiguation see: [[Diamondoid]]) <br>
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Accordingly a subclass of [[gemstone-like molecular element]]s are [[diamondoid molecular element]]s.
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* '''[[Diamondoid molecular machine element]]s''' (DMMEs) are assemblies of some diamondoid crystolecules implementing one specific mechanical function
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* '''[[Diamondoid molecular structural element]]s''' (DMSEs) are crystolecules or assemblies of some diamondoid crystolecules implementing a structural function
  
 
= Beware of the stroboscopic illusion =
 
= Beware of the stroboscopic illusion =
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{| class="wikitable floatright" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: 0px;"
 
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'''Simulated DMEs often show a misleading stroboscopic effect''' making one believe that the operation frequencies lie near the thermal frequencies
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'''Simulated DMEs often show a misleading stroboscopic effect''' which can make one believe that the operation frequencies lie near the thermal frequencies, giving the false impression of enormously high friction but actually the contrary is true. <br>
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giving the false impression of enourmously high friction but actually the contrary is true - see "[[superlubrication]]".
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See: "[[Friction in gem-gum technology]]" and "[[Superlubrication]]".
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 +
Gemstone like molecular machine elements with sliding interfaces will work exceptionally well. (See: [[Superlubricity]]) <br>
 +
There is both experimental evidence and theoretical evidence for that. <br>
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(See e.g.: [[Evaluating the Friction of Rotary Joints in Molecular Machines (paper)]] and the friction analysis in [[Nanosystems]])
  
 
= Nomenclature =
 
= Nomenclature =
  
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Since the here described physical objects have no official name yet (2016..2017) something sensible must be invented to refer to them on on this wiki. Here we settle to the technical acronyms '''DMME, DMSE and DME (details below)''' and for usage in natural language the term '''"crystolecule"''' since a DME is somewhat of a cross between a crystal and a molecule. Crystolecules must not be confused with molecule-crystals (crystals made today out of folded up polypeptide molecules aka proteins that today are made to find the locations of their constituent atoms). To emphasize the distinction one could use the term "covalent crystolecules".
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Since the here described physical objects have no official name yet (2016..2021) <br>
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something sensible must be invented to refer to them in this wiki.  
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Technical acronyms:
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* DME ... Diamondoid Molecular Element (stiff - small - minimal)
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* DM '''machine''' elements (DM'''M'''Es) ([http://www.zyvex.com/nanotech/visuals.html examples]) like e.g. bearings and gears have completely passivated surfaces.
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* DM '''structural''' elements (DM'''S'''Es) ([http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:13786 example]) are minimally sized structural building blocks that are only partially passivated. They can expose multiple radicals on some of their surfaces that act as [[positional atomic precision|AP]] [[surface interfaces|welding interfaces]] to complementary surfaces. The step of connecting [[surface interfaces]] is done in [[assembly levels|assembly level II]] and is irreversible.
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= Machine elements (DMMEs) =
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== Types ==
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=== Bearings  ===
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DMME bearings exhibit [[superlubrication|superlubrication]]. In the case of [[diamondoid]] rotative bearings this looks like described here: [http://e-drexler.com/p/04/02/0315bearingSums.html E.Drexler's blog: Symmetric molecular bearings can exhibit low energy barriers that are insensitive to details of the potential energy function].
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The occurring friction is orders of magnitude lower than the one occurring when liquid lubricants are used in macro or microscopic (non [[atomic precision|AP]]) bearings [http://e-drexler.com/p/04/03/0322drags.html E.Drexler's blog: Phonon drag in sleeve bearings can be orders of magnitude smaller than viscous drag in liquids].
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DMME bearings can be built such that the force between bearing and axle is anti-compressive further lowering dynamic drag but also lowering stiffness possibly down to zero. [http://e-drexler.com/p/04/03/0322nonrepulsive.html E.Drexler's blog: Bearings can be stable despite attractive interactions between their surfaces] (related: [[levitation]])
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If badly chosen the combined symmetry of bearing and axle can create a bistable tristable or an other low symmetry configuration. This should usually be avoided. Some symmetry considerations can be found here: [http://www.zyvex.com/nanotech/bearingProof.html Zyvex; Ralph C. Merkle: A Proof About Molecular Bearings] and iirc on the Nanoengineer-1 developer wiki which went missing. :(
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A tutorial on bearing design can be found here: [http://www.somewhereville.com/?p=82 A Low-Friction Molecular Bearing Assembly Tutorial, v1]
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=== Friction elements ===
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Interlocking teeth with low stiffness can snap back and thermalize energy.
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[http://e-drexler.com/p/04/02/0315pairSnap.html E.Drexler's blog: Softly supported sliding atoms can undergo abrupt transitions in energy]
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This can serve as a break (analog to an electrical resistor in an electrical circuit)
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=== Gears ===
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Single rows of protruding atoms can be used as gear teeth.
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But a simple pair of inter-meshing straight bevel-gears has a lot higher bumpiness than well designed DMME bearings.
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This can be reduced by making the gears very slightly helical (e.g. through applied strain) so that simultaneous contacts have phase shifts thoroughly below the angle of a tooth. Such bump-smoothing-gears have not been designed and analyzed yet (2014) ['''Todo''': example design]. Meshing pairs of unequal designed gears may help too.
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Making the teeth bigger by using more but not much more than one atom row for a gear gives a lot of undisired "bumpiness".
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Quite a bit bigger gears could use involute teeth like their macroscopic cousins.
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Involute teeth can be approximated by strained and or dislocation including diamondoid structures.
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Surface structure is best kept non-aligning. Friction prone [[passivation]]s like a standard hydrogen passivation should be avoided. Graphite linings might be usable. It remains to be analyzed whether and if which advantages approximations of involute and other gear profiles provide. The effects on transmittable torque, axial pressure and so on are of interest.
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Considerations about stiffness as in [[superlubrication]] for DMME bearings are equally relevant for grears [''more details needed''].
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=== Fasteners  ===
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Details can be found on the [[locking mechanisms]] page. <br>
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Enclosed radicals could be used to make very compact reversible connectors (name suggestion: ''covaconns'' - for covalent connectors)
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* [''Todo:'' note details about the expanding ridge joint]
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=== Pumps ===
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There is a model of a single atom neon pump which to some degree acts as a filter too.
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Positive displacement pumps like piston pumps scroll pumps or progressing cavity pumps have not yet been designed.
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=== Others  ===
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* Parts for the management of [[semi diamondoid structure]]s - e.g. coil barrels - those are especially amenable for testing.
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* [Todo: telescoptc rods; joints; hinges .... ball joints -> issues lack of ball curvature?]
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== Sets ==
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To be able to build the maximal amount of different [[microcomponents]] with the minimal amount of DMEs one needs to design/pick optimal sets of DMEs from a very large design space.
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=== Minimal set of compatible DMMEs  ===
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In electric circuits there is one topological and three kinds of basic passive elements.<br>
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Adding an active switching element one can create a great class of circuits. <br>
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'''0) fork node; 1) capacitors; 2) inductors; 3) resistors'''
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Those passive elements have a direct correspondences in rotative or reciprocating mechanics namely: <br>
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'''0) planetary or differential gearbox [*]; 1) springs; 2) inertial masses; 3) friction elements''' <br>
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[*] and analogons for reciprocating mechanics (see: [[Nanomechanic circuits]])
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But there are limits to the electric-mechanic analogy. Some mechanic elements often differ significantly from their electric counterparts in their qualitative behavior.
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Two examples of elements  quite different in behaviour are:
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* transistors & locking pins
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* transformers & gearboxes
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With creating a set of standard sizes of those elements and a modular building block system to put them together
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creating rather complex systems can be done in a much shorter time. <br>
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Like in electronics one can first create a schematics and subsequently the board.
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'''To do:''' Create a minimal set of minimal sized DMMEs for rotative nanomechanics.
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Modular housing structures standard bearings and standard axle redirectioning are also needed.
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'''To investigate:''' how can reciprocating mechanics be implemented considering the [[passivation bending issue]]
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= Structural elements (DMSEs) =
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[[File:Wiki-tetrapod-openconnects-black-135.png|frame| An example of a diamondoid molecular structural element (DMSE). The bright red spots are open bonds.]]
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There's the ''shape-lock-chain-core-reinforcement'' principle. For details see: [[Structural elements for nanofactories]]
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== DME Adapters ==
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It makes sense to have for each standard DME no matter of which type an adapter to a "the" standard couplings on the transportation chains.
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Since adapters will be reusable for many cycles the necessary production capacity for part-A-adapters will be much smaller than the targeted production capacity for part-A-DMEs. Building (mechanosynthesizing) the adapters right on the transportation chain couplings avoids the necessity of adapters for adapters.
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Connections at this level will mostly be sparse covalent reversible and for a bit bigger parts Van der Waals and shape locking.
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== Sets ==
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* standardised building block systems
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* housing structures
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* standard corner pieces connecting the various crystallographic planes
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* in edge passivation with hydrogen can be problematic
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* issue of non androgynous [[surface interfaces|sinterfaces]]
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* brackets for sub bond length positioning [[http://www.foresight.org/Updates/Update10/Update10.3.html]]
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* standard pipe and channel segments - the [[passivation bending issue]] is of relevance
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= Molecular transport elements =
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Elements that create one dimensional structures for the logistic transport of different media are a bit of a
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cross between machine elements and structural elements.
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== data transmission ==
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For transmission of data in Nanosystems [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyyne polyyine] rods where proposed.
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They constitute the thinnest physically possible rod manufacturable and consist out of sp hybridized carbon which must be [[mechanosynthesis|mechanosynthesizable]] for their construction which goes beyond minimal necessary capabilities (sure?).
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Handling of sp carbon is involved in already analyzed [[tooltip chemistry]] though and thus likely to be available.
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Polyyne rods obviously are rather susceptible to [[radiation damage]] thus it might be wise to use chains of benzene rings which are more stable.
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With the first few additional ring widths the event of non self healing catastrophic damage becomes drastically more unlikely per unit of time. ['''Todo''': calculate estimations]
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Still two of those ribbons like to fuse under UV irradiation (see: [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthracene anthracene])
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Going to cyclohexan chains and bigger diamondoid rods makes the surface a lot more bumpy and the housings a lot more bulky.
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* parity bits and more elaborate (somewhat holographic) data redundancy
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* bit flip - tape rupture
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== energy transmission ==
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For power transmission strained shell near cylindrical diamondoid axles are a good possibility reciprocative movement may be better for high power densities.
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== Heat transport ==
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For thermal drain water works well because of its very high heat capacity. To drastically reduce friction one should pass it around enclosed in diamond pellets ([[capsule transport]]) to get it in either one needs to use very high pressure (sealing might be difficult; thermal conductance may suffer) or the insides are made hydrophobic by adding -OH instead of -H surface terminations. In the latter case mechanosynthetic oxygen placement capabilities are needed which go beyond minimal necessary capabilities. Pipes are easily creatable but work better at the macroscale.
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It may be possible to use the phase transition ice water to keep the factory at constant temperature but note that super-clean water (that occurs as waste see below) does not necessarily freeze when super-cooled and the melting point might be significantly altered in small possibly hydrophobic encapsulation.
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== raw material supply ==
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For supply of solvated raw material the same method as for the cooling solvent can be used.
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== waste removal ==
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A waste that always occurs at a low rate comes from oxidation of excess hydrogen - atomically clean water.
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Water can be drained via pipes or enclosed in pellets [more investigation of existing literature needed]
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Beside that depending on how much self repair capability is included
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waste can be constituted out of shunned microcomponents because they are irreparable or likely to be broken or dirt contaminated.
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(see: "[[microcomponent tagging]]") or out of dysfunctional DMEs caused by assembly errors. ...
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= General properties of DMEs =
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To get a better picture how DMEs behave mechanically
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= "Crystolecules" – Term introduction and definition =
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and in general how everything else behaves at this size range
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one can '''look at the [[scaling laws]]''' which describe how physical quantities scale with size.
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DMEs with carbon, silicon carbide or silicon as core material can have internal structure like
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These objects are somewhat of a cross between a crystal and a molecule. <br>
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* diamond / [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonsdaleite lonsdaleite]
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So let's use the term '''"crystolecule"'''. <br>
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* or other possibly strained [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sp3_bond#sp3_hybrids sp<sup>3</sup>] configurations.
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This is nice because it's:
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Due to the lack of defects the [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_tensile_strength ultimate tensile strength] of larger DMEs lies above diamond of thermodynamic origin.
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* quite accurate in descriptiveness
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* quite conveniently usable in natural language
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* quite memorably (catchy) because it seems unusual (clickbait effect)
  
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== Strained shell structures ==
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Specificall lets use the term "crystolecule" for ones that are typically are:
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* small – stiff – minimal
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* structural
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* monolithic (like illustrated)
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* do (typically) not yet feature irreversibly enclosed moving parts – (no [[form closure]] yet – there may be exceptions)
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* are assembled purely at the first assembly level by [[piezochemical mechanosynthesis]] (direct [[in place assembly]])
  
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To form cylindrical or helical structures with high to maximal rotational symmetries for their size (good axles for [[superlubrication]]) one usually constructs wedge shaped segments and put them together until they naturally turn around 360 degree. Bending can be induced from internal structure or surface passivation (since passivation atoms haven't got the exact same bond length like the internal atoms, see: [[passivation bending issue]]).
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= Crystolecular units =
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If 360° are exactly met the structures bending results from internal unstrained structure the whole structure is unstrained - a goal to aim for. If not bending to a strained shell is required.
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For thin tubes of high diameter a completely unstrained lattice of the used diamondoid material can be bent around.
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A note on bending tools can be found on the "[[mechanosynthesis]]" page.
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Spheres are rather hard to approximate. [to investigate: feasability of ball joints]
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'''See main page: [[Crystolecular unit]]'''
  
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== VdW sticking ==
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These are bigger assemblies of basic structural crystolecules. <br>
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Assembled from crystolecules either via [[seamless covalent welding]] or [[Van der Waals force sticking]] and/or [[shape closing interlocking]]
  
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See: [[locking mechanisms]] <br>
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Let's use a different name for crystolecules or assemblies of crystolecules that are typically:
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[Todo: add calculation of how much surface is needed to securely overcome the characteristic thermal energy  (100kT?) -- to locking mechanisms?? -- techlevel I related too ...] <br>
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* a bit bigger
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[Todo: link to force estimation]
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* also functional in nature not just structural
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* not monolithic
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* do feature irreversibly enclosed moving parts
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* may involve pick and place post assembly (from constituent crystolecules) at the next higher assembly level
  
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== Acceleration tolerance ==
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Generally crystolecules and [[crystolecular unit]]s will be made from [[gemstone like compound]]s. <br>
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One subclass already investigated a bit in molecular detail are the [[crystolecular unit]]s made from [[diamondoid like compound]].
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Specifically some ones made from [[diamond]] and [[moissanite]] where investigated.
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See: '''[[Examples of diamondoid molecular machine elements]].'''
  
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[Todo: add calculation of a block on a neck model - for "intuitive" understanding]
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== Diamondoid molecular (structural and machine) elements – Term introduction and  definition ==
  
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When halving size mass shrinks eightfold ([[scaling laws]]) this leads to ...
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Let's use:
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* Diamondoid molecular structural elements (DM'''S'''Es) for structural ones of all sizes including beside small ones also bigger ones
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* Diamondoid molecular machine elements (DM'''M'''Es) for functional ones that are typically bigger in size
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* Diamondoid molecular elements (DMEs) for structures of all sized including both of the former
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* ("Diamondoid" can be replaced by "Gemoid" to include more general gemstone like compounds like e.g. [[sapphire]])
  
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high tolerance to accelerations (and possibly slow building speeds) may seduce one to build very filigree structures.
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Examples:
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Especially nanofactories will have lots of vacuum filled free space inside.
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* On this wiki: [[Examples of diamondoid molecular machine elements]]
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Since the structures still can be crushed by external pinching forces
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* (DM'''M'''Es) ([http://www.zyvex.com/nanotech/visuals.html examples]) like e.g. bearings and gears have completely passivated surfaces.
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one should - to avoid health hazards and waste production - always design with prevention measures for [[sharp edges and splinters]] in mind.
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* (DM'''S'''Es) ([http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:13786 example]) these are typically only partially passivated. They can expose multiple radicals on some of their surfaces that act as [[positional atomic precision|AP]] [[surface interfaces|welding interfaces]] to complementary surfaces. The assembly step of connecting [[surface interfaces]] is here called "[[seamless covalent welding]]" and is done in the next higher assembly level ([[assembly levels|assembly level II]]?). [[Seamless covalent welding]] it usually is irreversible but sparsely linking versions may be reversible.
  
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= Design of MMEs / crystolecules =
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== Delineation – what crystolecules must not be confused with ==
  
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To this date (2015) most of the designed crystolecules where made with the software nanoengineer-1
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Crystolecules must not be confused with crystals out of folded up polypeptide molecules aka proteins (that are made today to find the locations of their constituent atoms). <br>To emphasize the distinction one could use the term "covalent crystolecules".
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When designing DMEs some things have to be taken care of. See: [[Design of Crystolecules]]
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= Related =
 
= Related =
  
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* '''[[Terminology for parts]]'''
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* For components at different size scales see: [[Components]]
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* [[Stroboscopic illusion in crystolecule animations]]
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* [[Example crystolecules]]
 
* [[nanoparticle]]s
 
* [[nanoparticle]]s
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* [[In place assembly]]
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* putting molecule-fragments together to crystolecules [[Mechanosynthesis core]]
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* putting crystolecules together to microcomponents [[Crystolecule assembly robotics]]
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-----
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* [[Mechanical circuit element]]s
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-----
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Terms for bigger assemblies of several [[crystolecules]] but not yet as big (and disassemblable) as [[microcomponents]]
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* [[Diamondoid crystolecular machine element]] – diamond like structure – See: [[Diamondoid]]
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* [[Crystolecular machine element]] – more general gemstone like structure – See: [[gemstone like compound]]
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-----
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* assembled from [[molecule fragments]]
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* assembled to [[crystolecular element]]s
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* assembly is typically irreversible
  
 
= External links =
 
= External links =
Line 227: Line 133:
 
* [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_element machine elements]
 
* [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_element machine elements]
 
* [http://www.iberchip.net/iberchip2006/ponencias/86.pdf Design of Nanomachines using NanoEngineer-1]
 
* [http://www.iberchip.net/iberchip2006/ponencias/86.pdf Design of Nanomachines using NanoEngineer-1]
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* [http://metamodern.com/2009/02/10/nanomachines-how-the-videos-lie-to-scientists/ Nanomachines: How the Videos Lie to Scientists]
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* "Nanomachines: How the Videos Lie to Scientists" [https://web.archive.org/web/20160322114752/http://metamodern.com/2009/02/10/nanomachines-how-the-videos-lie-to-scientists/ (archive)] [http://metamodern.com/2009/02/10/nanomachines-how-the-videos-lie-to-scientists/ (old dead link)]
 
* without stroboscopic illusion: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RosHyQUw5jI  Molecular dynamics simulation of small bearing design]
 
* without stroboscopic illusion: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RosHyQUw5jI  Molecular dynamics simulation of small bearing design]
 
* [http://www.somewhereville.com/?p=82 A Low-Friction Molecular Bearing Assembly Tutorial, v1]
 
* [http://www.somewhereville.com/?p=82 A Low-Friction Molecular Bearing Assembly Tutorial, v1]
  
 
[[Category:Technology level III]]
 
[[Category:Technology level III]]

Latest revision as of 07:38, 3 July 2022

Here is a rather small structural diamondoid crystolecule with some bonds (brighter red) intentionally left open/dangling/unpassivated. A crystolecule fragment. Such surface interfaces can be fused together via seamless covalent welding in the second assembly level and perhaps higher assembly levels.
A proposed acetylene sorting pump. This is a larger diamondoid machine element (DME). Possibly assembled from several pre-produced smaller diamondoid crystolecules. The frame is one big monolithic crystolecule (it may be fused togehter via seamless covalent welding during assembly). Other parts are smaller independent crystolecules that may be mechanosynthesized fully passivated as a whole and integrated as a whole without any seamless welding.

Gemstone-like molecular elements (GMEs) here also called crystolecules are parts of machine elements and structural elements at the lowermost physical size limit. They are produced via piezochemical mechanosynthesis and are often highly symmetrical. Gemstone-like molecular elements are the basic building blocks in gemstone metamaterial technology.

Base material

Gemstone-like compounds are the most suitable base material for crystolecules. Beside classical gemstones like diamond other semi-precious minerals including bio-minerals that are synthesizable in solution also fall under gemstone-like compounds. These may be accessible earlier in semi advanced precursor technologies.

Use of pure metals and metal alloys is rather unsuitable for crystolecules.

  • Metallic bonds with free electron gas are not directed like covalent bonds.
  • Metal atoms on metal surfaces tend to diffuse away from where they have been deposited. Especially on surfaces.

Crystolecules are:

Given their nanoscale gemstone like nature unfortunately crystolecules and their assemblies crystollecular (machine) elements cannot be produced yet (state 2015..2021).

A subclass of gemstone-like compounds are diamond like compounds. (For a disambiguation see: Diamondoid)
Accordingly a subclass of gemstone-like molecular elements are diamondoid molecular elements.

Beware of the stroboscopic illusion

well animated bearing
The fast thermal vibrations are more realistically blurred out. The remaining localized periodic average deformations (visible here if one looks closely) are highly reversible. (See page abbout "superlubrication".) 		badly animated bearing
The present stroboscopic effect can be misleading in that friction is likely to be grossly overestimated. It deceivingly looks like as if the operating speed would be close to the speed of the thermal vibration. If that where the case it indeed would cause massive friction (strong coupling of motions with similar frequency).
DMME - bearing with blurred out fast vibrations
DMME - bearing with misleading stroboscopic effect

Simulated DMEs often show a misleading stroboscopic effect which can make one believe that the operation frequencies lie near the thermal frequencies, giving the false impression of enormously high friction but actually the contrary is true.
See: "Friction in gem-gum technology" and "Superlubrication".

Gemstone like molecular machine elements with sliding interfaces will work exceptionally well. (See: Superlubricity)
There is both experimental evidence and theoretical evidence for that.
(See e.g.: Evaluating the Friction of Rotary Joints in Molecular Machines (paper) and the friction analysis in Nanosystems)

Nomenclature

Since the here described physical objects have no official name yet (2016..2021)
something sensible must be invented to refer to them in this wiki.

"Crystolecules" – Term introduction and definition

These objects are somewhat of a cross between a crystal and a molecule.
So let's use the term "crystolecule".
This is nice because it's:

  • quite accurate in descriptiveness
  • quite conveniently usable in natural language
  • quite memorably (catchy) because it seems unusual (clickbait effect)

Specificall lets use the term "crystolecule" for ones that are typically are:

  • small – stiff – minimal
  • structural
  • monolithic (like illustrated)
  • do (typically) not yet feature irreversibly enclosed moving parts – (no form closure yet – there may be exceptions)
  • are assembled purely at the first assembly level by piezochemical mechanosynthesis (direct in place assembly)

Crystolecular units

See main page: Crystolecular unit

These are bigger assemblies of basic structural crystolecules.
Assembled from crystolecules either via seamless covalent welding or Van der Waals force sticking and/or shape closing interlocking

Let's use a different name for crystolecules or assemblies of crystolecules that are typically:

  • a bit bigger
  • also functional in nature not just structural
  • not monolithic
  • do feature irreversibly enclosed moving parts
  • may involve pick and place post assembly (from constituent crystolecules) at the next higher assembly level

Generally crystolecules and crystolecular units will be made from gemstone like compounds.
One subclass already investigated a bit in molecular detail are the crystolecular units made from diamondoid like compound. Specifically some ones made from diamond and moissanite where investigated. See: Examples of diamondoid molecular machine elements.

Diamondoid molecular (structural and machine) elements – Term introduction and definition

Let's use:

  • Diamondoid molecular structural elements (DMSEs) for structural ones of all sizes including beside small ones also bigger ones
  • Diamondoid molecular machine elements (DMMEs) for functional ones that are typically bigger in size
  • Diamondoid molecular elements (DMEs) for structures of all sized including both of the former
  • ("Diamondoid" can be replaced by "Gemoid" to include more general gemstone like compounds like e.g. sapphire)

Examples:

Delineation – what crystolecules must not be confused with

Crystolecules must not be confused with crystals out of folded up polypeptide molecules aka proteins (that are made today to find the locations of their constituent atoms).
To emphasize the distinction one could use the term "covalent crystolecules".

Related

Terms for bigger assemblies of several crystolecules but not yet as big (and disassemblable) as microcomponents

External links

At K. Eric Drexlers website:

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